Sir, - May I take this opportunity to thank you for again this Christmas, highlighting the problem of homelessness on the streets of Dublin (The Irish Times, December 2nd). While heroin addiction is undoubtedly an endemic and widespread problem for many of the people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin, let this not overshadow the root causes of homelessness: education deficit, poverty, social exclusion and political apathy.
To my knowledge, of the 2,206 cases (over 18 years of age) who presented as homeless to the EHB in 1996, 158 were originally from Tallaght; 124 from Dublin 8; 98 from Clondalkin; and 71 from Ballymun. Interestingly, there were six cases from Lucan, five from Dundrum and two from Portmarnock. One "case" may constitute a family or couple, not necessarily an individual (figures received from EHB).
Our figures for that year suggest that fewer than 35 per cent of our clients had used heroin or methadone. Sadly, many of these people may now have, as Sgt Healy observed, "drifted off into the darkness".
While homelessness becomes a reality for most heroin users at some time, not all homelessness is caused by heroin use. This needs to be clarified for those in our society who would still discriminate between, as they see it, the "deserving and undeserving" needy.
In closing, may I remind you that for many people out of home, homelessness is for life, not just for Christmas. It should be a cause of public and political concern throughout the year. - Yours, etc.,
Project Manager, Tallaght Homeless Advice Unit, Dublin 24.